Families not happy with poor condition of Beech Grove Cemetery

Cemetery has broken headstones, overgrown grass and sinkholes

Families are devastated by what they say are deplorable conditions at Beech Grove Cemetery in Springfield Township. Broken headstones, overgrown grass and sinkholes exposing caskets are just some of the issues.

Gill spent her time at Beech Grove Cemetery searching for her grandparents. She had hoped to show her daughter where they were buried, so she could then pass the information on to her own children and grandchildren.

Gill told News 5 there was no one on the grounds to help them locate her family. And the only information building is dilapidated and full of what appears to be old wooden planks.

“The grounds are not kept, the headstones are turned over. The grass is barely cut. It's just deplorable. It's been a big complaint for years, over 10 years that I know of,” Bridgette Davis said.

Davis has been coming to the cemetery for over a decade and said the conditions have only continued to get worse.

News 5 has learned that for at least two years, community partners have organized upkeep for the cemetery.

Founders of the predominantly black cemetery, which dates back to 1877, were born during slavery. Families today said something must be done to save the past and preserve the future.